A climate action evanston program

Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Outreach

We spread the word, and swap native plants that improve habitat for this endangered bug.

More about what we're doing

Most recent version posted on:
May 21, 2023
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. (c) Terry Miesle
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. (c) Terry Miesle

Natural Habitat helps other species survive climate disruption too.

Periodically Natural Habitat members swap host plants of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (RPBB). Watch our calendar, and check out the Evanston Host Plant Initiative.

RPBB is the only pollinator of the mainland United States listed as federally-endangered.

Host Plants of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Host Plants of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Historical and Recent Range of Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. (c) Xerces Society
Historical and Recent Range of Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. (c) Xerces Society

Resources

Our Artificial Lighting Doorhanger

Artificial Lighting Doorhanger, NHE. Share at brightly lit buildings to explain why it matters to dim lights.

Go to a pdf of our doorhangerGo to a pdf of our doorhanger

Our Eco-Friendly Yard and Garden Landscaping flyer

Our short guide to get your garden buzzing with life — attracting butterflies, bees, fireflies and birds.

Access pdf file of flyerAccess pdf file of flyer

Gardening that Matters video presentation

Gardening that Matters. Get Started or Enhance your Native Garden.  March 2023 presentation to North Shore Senior Center's Tuesday Club. A simple way to take action for climate, community healthand biodiversity: Swap out your lawn for native plants.  Reconsidering theculture of lawns. Why it matters, steps to prioritize, how to get started, andhow to amplify the change. Leslie Shad of Natural Habitat Evanston presents.

See videoSee video

Evanston Host Plant Initiative for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee

Evanston Host Plant Initiative for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee

Evanston Host Plant InitiativeEvanston Host Plant Initiative

Our Natural Habitat Newsletter Signup

Sign up for the NHE Newsletter

NHE Newsletter SignupNHE Newsletter Signup

A Smarter Fall Cleanup

We now know that an overly aggressive approach to cleaning up in autumn can damage the environment. So what’s a responsible gardener to do?
Margaret Roach, The New York Times, A Smarter Fall Cleanup, 2020

Times fall cleanup articleTimes fall cleanup article

List of Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee Host Plants

Fish and Wildlife Service list of host plants for the Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee

RPBB Host PlantsRPBB Host Plants

Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee general information

Fish and Wildlife Service information page on the Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee

Access information pageAccess information page

US Fish and Wildlife Service Fact Sheet on the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

US Fish and Wildlife Service Fact Sheet on the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

Access fact sheetAccess fact sheet

NWF Native Plants Finder: Search your zip code for plants ranked by Tallamy

Website database: search your zip code for plants ranked by Tallamy

Check out your zip code Check out your zip code

No Mow May factsheet from Midwest Grows Green

No Mow May factsheet from Midwest Grows Green

See factsheetSee factsheet

NWF WIldlife Certification

Certify your habitat with NWF

Certify with NWFCertify with NWF

You're Needed! Here Are Some Involvement Opportunities

Donating to Climate Action Evanston and earmarking your donation for Natural Habitat Evanston. You can further earmark your donation to one of our initiatives.

Take the Pollinator and Bird Pledge

take the pledgetake the pledge

Join our Pollinator Pledge and let the city and landscapers know we care about sustainable yards. Take an optional yard sign to spread the word.

Join the Natural Habitat Evanston Newsletter

subscribesubscribe

Stay updated on green goings on in Evanston, workdays, advocacy issues and more.

Buffalo Grass Anyone?

Buffalo GrassBuffalo Grass

$25/bag to local residents (pickup; no shipping). We also have some $5 seed packets of bottlebrush and little bluestem grass. While supplies last. Emails should include your phone number and which species you are requesting. Pay by check payable to Citizens’ Greener Evanston at pickup.

Volunteer at plantings and invasive removals: parks and schools

Outdoor workdaysOutdoor workdays

Help at outdoor workdays

Join No Mow May

No Mow MayNo Mow May

Rethink how you Lawn

Sign on: Northwestern students Petition for Bird-Friendly Films at Mudd Library

Sign onSign on

Northwestern students Petition for Bird-Friendly Films at Mudd Library. Mudd Library accounts for over 14% of bird deaths and injuries on campus each year. Applying patterned window film to a portion of the building would dramatically reduce collisions that are fatal to birds.

More Ways to Volunteer: Spread the word

Email usEmail us

Share out brochures, doorhangers, or flyers. Collect a bunch of materials on the 5th Ward Tree Giveaway, Pollinator Pledge, Eco landscaping, Yard care, Light pollution, Leaf blowers are an eco-disaster, or Buffalo Grass.

Join our Facebook Group

NHE FB GroupNHE FB Group

Get updates and share your thoughts on our FB Group. You can also check out our FB page here https://www.facebook.com/NaturalHabitatEvanston

More yard signs: Mowing, Leaves, Leafblowers?

2-Sided Yard Sign2-Sided Yard Sign

Just want to spread the word on certain steps? Mow Less-Leave Leaves (2-sided yard sign) or Leafblowers sign

Join the Isabella Woods Newsletter

Isabella Woods NewsletterIsabella Woods Newsletter

Get news the next time there is a threat to Isabella Woods. (Only sent when there is news.)

Certify with National Wildlife Federation

Certify now with NWFCertify now with NWF

Provide Food, Water, Shelter, Places to Raise Young and Sustainable Steps for wildlife. It helps Evanston maintain its NWF Community-wide Wildlife Habitat certification.

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